What's on in Istanbul (19 May 2024)
A regular roundup of recommended art and cultural events
TOP PICKS
Göz Göre Göre: 25 Yıllık Tanıklık
(In Plain Sight: 25 Years of Testimony)
Unflinching and yet tender, photojournalist Fatih Pınar’s images capture some of the most significant events in Turkey’s last quarter-century as well as quiet moments of pain, love, pride, and grace. This retrospective selection of his work (including some video reportage) curated by Nazlı Ökten at Karşı Sanat Çalışmaları, one of Istanbul’s most socially and politically engaged art spaces, ranges beyond Turkey’s borders – even as far as a scene of homelessness in San Francisco – but focuses on the protests, conflicts, and disasters that have shaped this country and, crucially, the people affected by them. The images are visually striking and emotionally affecting even if you aren’t familiar with the events they portray, but those who remember Gezi, Soma, Çizre, the Ankara train station attack, the funerals of Hrant Dink and Berkin Elvan, and the days when the Pride and women’s marches could fill the streets unobstructed might find themselves feeling a bit choked up.
Exhibition runs until 6 June
Karşı Sanat Çalışmaları
İstiklal Caddesi No:108
Aznavur Pasajı, 6th floor
Open Mon-Sat 12-6pm
Bugünü Resmetmek
(Painting Today)
From Ahu Akgün’s emotionally intimate portraits (above) to İhsan Oturmak’s politically charged crowd scenes, Cansu Çakar’s modern miniatures to Nalan Yırtmaç’s stencil works, this new exhibit at Yapı Kredi Kültür Sanat demonstrates the broad range of expression possible using paint as a medium. Spread over two floors of gallery space, the show features works created during the past five years by nearly 30 different artists, offering a snapshot of the diverse preoccupations and styles among contemporary painters in Turkey.
Exhibition runs until 11 August
Yapı Kredi Kültür Sanat
İstiklal Caddesi No: 161
Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 12-7pm
COMING SOON
Istanbul Music Festival – Concerts featuring mostly classical artists at venues around Istanbul. 21 May to 12 June, tickets are already on sale. https://muzik.iksv.org/en
Mamut Art Project – This annual showcase of emerging and independent artists is always worth a visit. 22-26 May at Yapı Kredi bomontiada, open 11am-8pm. https://mamutartproject.com
Without A Camera Live Event – Experimental film by Zeyno Pekünlü screened along with a live electronic music performance by FitiSound, presented by Protocinema and Sanatorium. 24 May at 9pm at Sendika (Kartal Sk. No:3/A in Beyoğlu).
Printemps Des Artistes – Art exhibition with sales benefitting charitable causes. 24 May to 2 June at Lycée Sainte-Pulchérie (Çukurlu Çeşme Sk. No:7 in Beyoğlu). Register to attend the opening night.
Istanbul Dialogues: We Call It Home – Come for the panel discussion (moderated by me!) about ‘Exploring Istanbul,’ stay for some socializing with other members of Istanbul’s international community. 29 May from 7-10pm at Atölye in bomontiada.
Manda Festival – Music, guided walks, and local products for sale at this annual celebration of traditional water-buffalo herding in northern Istanbul, where the animals’ habitats are being swallowed up by development. 1 June from 1-5pm. Register for free transportation to the event venue in Ağaçlı Köyü.
‘Hearing Tomorrow’ – Panel discussion on climate change, art, and food in English (with Turkish translation) at Borusan Contemporary (Balta Limanı Hisar Cd. No:5 in Rumeli Hisarı). 1 June at 2pm. Tickets cost 200 TL.
LAST CHANCE
‘1000th Week’ - A group exhibition honoring the long-standing resistance of the Saturday Mothers (Cumartesi Anneleri) at Ada Sanat (İstiklal Cd. No:108, Aznavur Pasajı, 9th floor). Open daily 12-7pm, show ends 24 May.
‘Lithography’ – Group exhibition of lithography and printmaking works by three dozen artists at Kasa Galeri (Bankalar Cd. No:2) in Karaköy. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, show ends 31 May.
‘Dormant States of the Awakened Movements’ – Intriguing short video works by Sena Başöz, Didem Erbaş, TUNCA, Merve Ünsal, and Yoğunluk at Bilsart (Meşrutiyet Cd. No:90/A, Bilsar Building), a space focused on video art. Open Tue-Sat 10am-12:30pm and 1:15-6pm, show ends 4 June.
RECOMMENDED READS
Larissa Araz Unearths Turkey’s Hidden Pasts – The artist’s exploration of counter-narratives in Turkey plays with the tension between representation and manipulation that is inherent in image creation. by Jennifer Hattam for Hyperallergic.
Istanbul: The State of The Stomach – How and why the city is eating right now. by Paul Osterlund for Culinary Backstreets.
Out of Place – The evocative, sublimely detached photgraphs of Monica Fritz.
by Andrew Finkel for Cornucopia.
Preserving the Art of Palestinian Taṭrīz 76 Years After the Nakba – An online archive of digitized patterns features more than 1,000 motifs pertaining to the traditional embroidery art form. by Maya Pontone for Hyperallergic.